Drying-machine



' Drying Machine. No. 234,860. Patented Nov, 30, 1880.

JZZZZ.

J o z 11 1 A L W 4 O A J N. PErERs. PNOTO-LITHOGRAF (No Model.) 2Shae1as--Sheet2v A. EDWARDS. Drying Machine.

No. 234,860. Patented Nov. 30,1880.

\A/I EssEs MLEM N.FETERS. PHOTQ-LITHOGRAPHER, WASHINGTON, n C.

UNITED STATES ATENT Erica.

ALFRED EDWARDS, OF NEW HAVEN, CONNECTICUT.

DRYING-MACHINE.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 234,860, dated November30, 1880.

Application filed March 12, 1880.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, ALFRED EDWARDS, a citizen of the United States,residing in the city and county of New Haven, in the State ofConnecticut, have invented certain new and useful Improvements relatingto Drying-Machines, of which the following is a specification.

My machine is adapted for use in drying offal, blood, and analogousproducts of the slaughter-house, as also for drying scrap from fish-oilfactories, grain, and loose material generally. I employ a revolvingcylinder with provisions for applying heat, either directly from a fireor by other means, to the exterior. I provide for introducing andremoving the material without necessitating any internal projections. inthe most complete form of the apparatus I mount a revolving device inthe interior having a motion in the opposite direction to that of theexterior cylinder. I provide a liberal aperture at the periphery at eachend, through which the material may be discharged rapidly during itsrotation, or may be drawn out by any suitable tool or appliance when theapparatus is not in motion. I provide each end with liberal aperturesarranged around near the periphery, and so controlled that each is openin the upper part of its path, while the space immediately adjacent onthe interior is unfilled except with vapor and gases, and is closedduring the lower part of its path, while the space against it on theinterior is filled with the solid or semi-fluid material. The devices bywhich I attain these conditions will be fully set forth below.

The following is a description of what I consider the best means ofcarrying out the invention.

The accompanying drawings form a part of this specification.

Figure 1 is afront elevation of my improved apparatus. Fig. 2 is anelevation of the righthand end of Fig. 1. Fig. 3 is a similar view ofthe opposite end. Fig. 4 is a longitudinal vertical section. Fi 5 is acentral transverse sect-ion of my device, and Fig. 6 is a detailed "iewof a portion of the end of the cylinder shown in Fig. 3.

Similar letters of reference indicate likepa-rts in all the figures.

(No model.)

A A are the stationary walls of a furnace. They may be of brick or othersuitable masonry.

B B are stout rolls, mounted in suitable bearin gs and adapted tosupport a large revolving cylinder, D, which serves as the main body orshell of my drying apparatus.

The shell D is provided with a receiving aperture covered by a cap, D,the masonryA being correspondingly formed to allow this cap to project alittle. The interior of the cylinder D is smooth.

Each end of the cylinder D is provided with gearing D which engages withcorresponding gear-wheels E fixed on a counter-shaft, E, mounted infixed bearings, and receiving motion, through a gear-wheel, E, from agear- .wheel, G, on the driving-shaft G. The latter is mounted in fixedbearings and driven by a belt from a steam-engine or other power (notshown) running on fast and loose pulleys G G A shaft, H, extends alongthe axial line of the cylinder D, but free to turn independentlythereof. This shaft H is mounted in fixed bearings and equipped with agear-wheel, H, which also engages with the driving-wheel Gr, but so asto induce a turning motion in the opposite direction to that of thecylinder D. The shaft H is provided, within the cylinder D, with aseries of arms and scrapers, grinders, 800., of any required formadapted to perform the several functions of scraping the interior,grinding any bone or large solid masses within, and especially ofeffectively lifting and agitating all the material in the interior andexposing it to give 01f its moisture. The form of these parts K, andparticularly the width of the scrapers, may be varied according to thecharacter of the material for which the machine is to be used.

The gases and moisture escape freely through liberal apertures, (1,arranged in the ends. The holes and their covering means are alike. Adescription of one will suffice for all.

Each hole (Z is equipped with a cover, M, turning on a center, m,mounted on the head. These covers are of considerable weight and tend toturn, by gravity, so as to always hang in a perpendicular position belowthe suspending point or pivot m; but this motion is not permitted.

T is a stop mounted on the fixed portion of the apparatus, andprojecting partially across the end of the main cylinder on the sidewhere the apertures d and their covering means rise from the lower tothe higher part of their revolution. Each cover M is provided with apin, M, which, if the aperture remains closed in passing the arm T, isstruck by the latter and compelled to open.

V is a stop fixed in the head of the cylinder D in the proper positionto restrain the opening motion. It compels the cover M to remain in aposition ready to cover the aperture (1 again with a moderate amount ofmotion.

W is a spring, preferably made with a slightly-hooked form. When the pinW. has passed its highest point and is moving in the descending portionof its path, the cover M is thrown into such position that its gravitytends to partially revolve it and effect the closing of the aperture d.There being little friction or other force to restrain the motion, thecover is certain to yield to this force and to move rapidly into theclosed position. In doing so it engages strongly with the springstop W.In other words, it comes to rest by wedgin g itself between thespring-stop W and the head of the cylinder in such a manner as to notonly insure the tight closing ofv the aperture 61, but also to stronglyhold the cover M in the closed position when it commences to rise againin the other portion of its path. In some cases gravity alone willsuflice to overcome the force of this spring or strong hook, and thecover will swing open at about the time the stop M is ready to strikethe fixed stop T. In other cases the force of the spring will be morethan sufficient, and considerable force will be required from the arm Tto effect the opening. My apparatus will work successfully under any ofthese conditions.

Man-holes are provided at each end at the extreme periphery. These arecovered by plates J. They may be made to turn on a center and equippedwith mechanism for opening them by a turning motion, or they may beprovided with ordinary arch-clamps.

I can empty the cylinder either by holding the cylinder stationary withits man-hole in the lowest posit-ion and raking out the greater portionof the material with any suitable implement, or by simply revolving theinternal part liberally after uncovering the man-hole.

The material to be dried may be supplied through the man-holes by theaid of anysuitable spout introduced when the man-holes are in theirhighest position; but I propose, usually, to supply the material throughthe aperture exposed by removing the cover D.

It will be understood that any ordinary or suitable provisions may bemade for controlling the heat of the fire, regulating the application ofthe hot gases, 850., and conducting away thcproducts of combustion. Ihave shown a casing, A, covering the upper portion of the cylinder D,with a liberal aperture through which to remove the cover D.

I can apply the heat by a furnace of any ordinary or suitableconstruction, burning coal, wood, and scrap, or other fuel. I propose insome cases to use oileither the oil from the manufactory or any grade ofpetroleum, naphtha, or the likewith suitable provisions for supplyingair and controlling combustion, as the means of inducing and properlyapplying the heat.

Modifications may be made in many of the detailswithin wide limits. Ican drive the internal parts by an independent train of mechanisminstead of the gearing represented. Some of the benefits of theinvention may be realized by the use of a portion of the apparatuswithout using the whole. I can work successfully with the internalshaft, H, and its connections stationary. I can make the shaft H hollow,and thus introduce steam or hot air into the interior.

By employing moderate heat with a liberal agitating means on theinterior my apparatus may be used with good effect in drying grain andanalogous farinaceous material. I propose especially to use it fordrying the waste from breweries and distilleries. In case suflicientalcohol or other volatile product of value is given ofl I propose toincase the whole and lead the discharge-vapors through a propercondenser to utilize such products.

Among other advantages ofmy arrangement, I obtain an unusuallyefficient' scraping and grinding action by the motion of the maincylinder D and internal parts, K, in opposite directions, each at amoderate velocity, so that no difficulty is genera-ted by the highcentrifugal force due to a too-rapid rotation.

I claim as my invention- 1. The revolving cylinder D, having a head ateach end, with a series of apertures, d, in combination with covers M,provided with means, as set forth, for operating them, so that theapertures are in a closed condition in the lower portion and are open inthe upper portion, as herein specified.

2. In a drying-machine having a revolving case, D, with provisions forapplying heat thereto, the catch W, in combination with the movablecover M, and with an arm, T, arranged to compel the opening at eachrevolution, as herein specified.

In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand, at New Haven, State ofConnecticut, this 2d day of March, 1880, in the presence of twosubscribing witnesses.

ALFRED EDWARDS.

Witnesses:

JAMES P. GALLIVAN, J NO. 0. NORTH.

ICO

IIS

